Layer Dependency and Priority Signaling Design for Scalable Video Coding

Abstract

Signaling of layer dependency and/or priority of dependent layers in a video parameter set (VPS) may be used to indicate the relationship between an enhancement layer and its dependent layers, and/or prioritize the order of the dependent layers for multiple layer scalable video coding of HEVC for inter-layer prediction. A method may include receiving a bit stream that includes a video parameter set (VPS). The VPS may include a dependent layer parameter that indicates a dependent layer for an enhancement layer of the bit stream. The dependent layer parameter may indicate a layer identification (ID) of the dependent layer. The VPS may indicate a total number of dependent layers for the enhancement layer. The VPS may include a maximum number of layers parameter that indicates a total number of layers of the bit stream. The total number of dependent layers for the enhancement layer may not include the enhancement layer.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving a bit stream that comprises a video parameter set (VPS), wherein the VPS comprises a dependent layer parameter that indicates a dependent layer for an enhancement layer of the bit stream; and   performing inter-layer prediction of the enhancement layer using the dependent layer.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dependent layer parameter indicates a layer identification (ID) of the dependent layer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the dependent layer parameter indicates the layer ID of the dependent layer as a function of a difference between the dependent layer and the enhancement layer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the VPS indicates a total number of dependent layers for the enhancement layer. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the total number of dependent layers for the enhancement layer does not include the enhancement layer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enhancement layer has one or more dependent layers, and wherein an order of one or more dependent layer parameters in the VPS indicates a priority of the one or more dependent layers for inter-layer prediction of the enhancement layer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the VPS comprises a maximum number of layers parameter that indicates a total number of layers of the bit stream. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bit stream is encoded according to a high efficiency video coding (HEVC) coding standard. 
     
     
         9 . A device comprising:
 a processor configured to:
 receive a bit stream that comprises a video parameter set (VPS), wherein the VPS comprises a dependent layer parameter that indicates a dependent layer for an enhancement layer of the bit stream; and 
 perform inter-layer prediction of the enhancement layer using the dependent layer. 
   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the dependent layer parameter indicates a layer identification (ID) of the dependent layer. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the dependent layer parameter indicates the layer ID of the dependent layer as a function of a difference between the dependent layer and the enhancement layer. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the VPS indicates a total number of dependent layers for the enhancement layer. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the total number of dependent layers for the enhancement layer does not include the enhancement layer. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the enhancement layer has one or more dependent layers, and wherein an order of one or more dependent layer parameters in the VPS indicates a priority of the one or more dependent layers for inter-layer prediction of the enhancement layer. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the VPS comprises a maximum number of layers parameter that indicates a total number of layers of the bit stream. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the device is a decoder. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the device is a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). 
     
     
         18 . A method of signaling inter-layer dependency in a video parameter set (VPS), the method comprising:
 defining two or more layers for a bit stream;   defining a dependent layer for an enhancement layer of the bit stream; and   signaling, via the VPS, a dependent layer parameter that indicates the dependent layer for the enhancement layer of the bit stream.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the dependent layer parameter indicates a layer identification (ID) of the dependent layer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the VPS indicates a total number of dependent layers for the enhancement layer. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising:
 defining one or more dependent layers for the enhancement layer; and   signaling, via the VPS, one or more dependent layer parameters that indicate the one or more dependent layers for the enhancement layer, wherein an order of the one or more dependent layer parameters in the VPS indicates a priority of the one or more dependent layers for inter-layer prediction of the enhancement layer.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the VPS comprises a maximum number of layers parameter that indicates a total number of layers of the bit stream. 
     
     
         23 . A device configured to signal inter-layer dependency in a video parameter set (VPS), the device comprising:
 a processor configured to:
 define two or more layers for a bit stream; 
 define a dependent layer for an enhancement layer of the bit stream; and 
 signal, via the VPS, a dependent layer parameter that indicates the dependent layer for the enhancement layer of the bit stream. 
   
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the dependent layer parameter indicates a layer identification (ID) of the dependent layer. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the VPS indicates a total number of dependent layers for the enhancement layer. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 define one or more dependent layers for the enhancement layer; and   signal, via the VPS, one or more dependent layer parameters that indicate the one or more dependent layers for the enhancement layer, wherein an order of the one or more dependent layer parameters in the VPS indicates a priority of the one or more dependent layers for inter-layer prediction of the enhancement layer.   
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the VPS comprises a maximum number of layers parameter that indicates a total number of layers of the bit stream. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the device is an encoder. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the device is a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU).